Members of the Bethel Admirals Sr American Legion baseball team, comprising Newtown and Bethel players, had a successful and fun-filled campaign, posting a 19-5 record during the regular season, then winning its first two 19U state tournament games, before being eliminated by Stratford, at Penders Field, in the Regional round, on July 21.

Third-seeded Stratford pulled out a 3-2 win in 11 innings the day before, in the first of a best-of-three series, then overcame a two-run deficit for a 4-3 win to advance the Super Regionals.

In game one, No. 6 Newtown's Austin Kasbarian, despite playing with an arm injury sustained earlier in the playoffs, had two hits, drove in a run, and scored a run; and Charlie Huegi reached on a fielder's choice and scored. The game went into extra innings even at a run apiece, and both teams plated runs in the ninth inning.

Newtown's Tim Vander Have singled, stole a base, and scored; Tyler Plumb knocked in two runs; and Joe Liquori drove in another as the Admirals took a 3-1 lead in the second game. Stratford rallied with a three-spot in the fifth.

"Couldn't ask for better baseball, couldn't ask for a better opponent, a classier opponent," Head Coach Josh Hull said. "I think they can go places."

Hull wishes his team went deeper into the playoffs, not only because that would have meant winning but also because it would have allowed this tightly-knit group more time together on the baseball diamonds.

"These guys are the best," said Hull, who then listed some of the attributes his players possess that make them enjoyable to coach.

"Their headiness, the amount of energy they bring to the game," said Hull, adding that the Admirals never once came out flat despite a grueling summer schedule of 24 games in a span of a month. "They come to play every single day."

Hull's squad posted the best winning percentage in the program's history, a .792 percentage, after a 19-5 campaign and second-place finish in the Zone 5 standings.

The Admirals had some traditions, including nominating teammates (or themselves if justifiable) for the Web Gem of the Game Award, given to the player who makes the best defensive play in the field. They take fielding so seriously, in fact, that when the typically sure-handed Hull - who also serves as the third base coach - couldn't handle a foul ball on a bare-handed attempt, his players gave him a hard time.

"Alligator arms," one member of the Admirals yelled light-heartedly to Hull, who otherwise might have won the Web Gem of the Game Award.

That energy and enthusiasm, which in this instance was displayed even despite the Admirals trailing in the second game with Stratford, is what Hull liked so much about this squad.

"It's a lot of fun," he said of coaching the lineup.

Several of the team members met for breakfast before going to their home field at Bethel High School for their first-round playoff win over Naugatuck, and showed up in unusual attire - some wearing button-down shirts, neckties, and shorts.

"It captures the spirit of the team," said Hull, whose group went out and blanked Naugatuck 1-0 before doubling up Orange 2-1 the next day to advance out of the Sectional Round.

Members of the team are: Kyle Brelling, Stephen Brittin, Chaz Cywin, Sam Czel, Abraham Defeo, Connor Hartman, Charlie Huegi, Austin Kasbarian, Joe Liquori, Nick Luhrs, Mike Parker, Tyler Plumb, Anthony Rodriguez, and Tim Vander Have. The coaching staff includes Head Coach Josh Hull, assistant coaches Tom Liquori, and John Luhrs, and Assistant Manager Tim Schneider.